People who cook two items to serve together
If your main and side dish often need different settings, two zones let you cook them separately. Check the size of each zone and whether the model has a function that synchronises the end of cooking.
Who is each format for?
Households cooking a large joint or a family-sized dish
A single cavity or mini-oven-style model is worth considering if your meals need a large dish or baking trays. The shape and usable dimensions matter just as much as the stated capacity.
People wondering whether to add another appliance alongside their oven
If your oven already handles your usual meals, weigh up how often you cook smaller items separately against the space and cleaning a second appliance would require. UFC-Que Choisir also recommends considering whether it would duplicate what your oven already does.
Which features should you compare?
Single drawer
Worth considering if: you usually cook one thing at a time or are happy to cook in batches.
The trade-off: its single cooking space cannot handle two independent cooking settings at once.
Two zones
Worth considering if: you often cook two dishes for the same meal and they need different settings. Look for a synchronisation function if you want them to finish cooking together.
The trade-off: each compartment may be too small for a large joint, even if the total capacity looks sufficient.
Large cavity or mini-oven style
Worth considering if: you mainly need space for a large joint, a casserole or food cooked on several levels.
The trade-off: make sure you have enough room for the appliance and to open its door or drawer.
Your existing oven
Keep using it if: it already fits your dishes and you only occasionally cook small quantities separately.
The trade-off: you won’t get the two independent, synchronised zones offered by some air fryers.
For a meal made up of several items, start with the dish that places the biggest demands on your choice. Then compare it with the space you have and what your oven can already do.
| Criteria | What to check | Consumers prioritising this |
|---|---|---|
| Coordinating two cooking programmes | Two zones with independent settings and a function to synchronise the end of cooking. | If I’m cooking a main and a different side dish, I want to serve them together without having to manage two separate finishing times myself. Around 36% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
| Usable capacity | The shape and internal dimensions of the basket or dish, and how the capacity is divided between the zones. | To serve a large joint or several portions, I need them to fit in one cooking space. Around 29% of consumers would put this first. |
| Space and cleaning | External dimensions, clearance required and dishwasher-safe parts for the specific model. | When worktop space is limited, I want to be able to set up, store and clean the appliance without making every meal more complicated. Around 21% of consumers would prioritise this. |
| A different use from your oven | How often you cook separate items and which dishes your current oven already accommodates. | If my oven handles the meals I usually make, I’d only add another appliance for a regular need it doesn’t meet well. Avoiding a duplicate purchase would be the priority for around 14% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
-
Looking only at the total capacity of a dual-drawer model
The two zones may be different sizes: their combined capacity won’t tell you whether a large joint will fit in the compartment you want to use.
Compare the capacity and shape of each basket with the food you usually cook. If you mainly need one large, uninterrupted space, look at single-cavity models too.
-
Choosing a large model without measuring the space
UFC-Que Choisir highlights the weight and bulk of large-capacity models. You’ll also need room to open the door or pull out the drawers where you plan to use the appliance.
Measure your worktop, storage space and room to manoeuvre before making your choice.
-
Assuming an air fryer will always replace your oven
A drawer-style model and a mini-oven-style model don’t handle large dishes or separate cooking programmes in the same way. A new appliance could duplicate what you already have if your oven handles most of your recipes.
Think about the meals you cook regularly at home. Choose a new appliance if separate smaller portions or synchronised cooking would meet a regular need.
-
Confusing an extended warranty with your statutory guarantee
In France, according to the Ministry of the Economy, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to goods sold by a business to a private individual. Any additional commercial warranty is separate.
Before buying an extended warranty, compare the faults it covers, any exclusions and what it offers beyond your statutory rights.
Brands to know when comparing formats
Moulinex
The range includes single-drawer, dual-drawer and oven-style air fryers. Moulinex lists two drawers with capacities of 5,2 L and 3,1 L for the Easy Fry Dual EZ901N20, as well as a 20 L cavity for the Easy Fry AL605820.
- These models let you compare cooking a meal across two zones with preparing food that needs a larger cavity.
- Check the external dimensions and which parts are dishwasher-safe for the specific model. You can’t tell these details from capacity alone.
Philips
Philips offers single-basket and dual-zone models. According to the brand, the removable divider in the Série 1000 NA154/00 lets you switch from two 3,55 L compartments to one 7,1 L basket.
- This set-up gives you the flexibility to cook two separate dishes or use one space for a single dish.
- Check the features of the specific model, including synchronisation, and make sure the basket’s usable shape suits the dishes you cook.
Ninja
UFC-Que Choisir names Ninja among the brands available on the French market and highlights its portable Crispi model as an example of an unusual format.
- The Crispi is a different format to consider if where you’ll position the appliance is an important factor in your choice.
- UFC-Que Choisir reports that the Crispi was found to be noisy in tests by its European counterparts. This finding does not apply to the entire Ninja range.
Related Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
When should you choose two drawers rather than one large basket?
Choose two drawers if you regularly cook two foods with different settings and want to serve them together. One large basket is better for a large joint or foods that can cook at the same setting. Either way, check the usable shape and space available.
Can an air fryer replace my oven completely?
Not necessarily. Keep your oven as your main option if you mostly cook large dishes, use baking trays or need a bigger cavity. An air fryer makes sense as a separate appliance if you cook smaller portions or two separate dishes often enough to justify the space it takes up and the cleaning it needs.
How do I choose a model that’s easy to clean?
Check which baskets, racks, drawers and accessories are dishwasher-safe for the exact model. This can cut down on hand-washing, but parts that come into contact with food still need to be cleaned regularly.
What guarantee applies to a new air fryer bought from a business in France?
According to the Ministry of the Economy, this purchase is covered by the statutory guarantee of conformity. The retailer is your point of contact if the product doesn’t conform to the contract. Keep your proof of purchase and remember that this statutory right is separate from the terms of any commercial warranty.